That's The Life For Me

A L O H A From Honolulu!

Life is a series of
unique opportunities
It's our job to find
the happiness in
each one.
Rick Remender

Shot in N. California in 2017. Anyone know this bird?💛

At every moment, we always have a choice, even if it feels as if we don’t. Sometimes that choice may simply be to think a more positive thought.

   Tina Turner

Maybe it's weird,
some might disagree,
But happy at work?
That's the life for me!

I want to be

famous but
unknown!
Edgar Degas

I'm already happy

in this work.

Pixie

⥹⥻

Love You,
Pixie & Cloudia

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Travel Tuesday 
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Tuesday Treasures
My Corner Of The World
Wild Bird Wednesday
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Wordless Wednesday

On Memorial Day in Honolulu

Hundreds of lighted lanterns

are set afloat out to sea.

This is done solemnly by

those of every age, culture,

and ethnicity in remembrance

of our dearly remembered Family members and

ancestors. A much nicer word

than "dead" eh?

In Summer O Bon season

they are close and we

hold big outdoor dances

in the Japanese tradition

where we dance beyond

the generations.

There is also Missing Man Formation

flown above ceremonies at the 

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

"Punchbowl" to honor those

who gave the full measure 

of devotion.

Lantern Floating Ceremony

Aloha, Dear Friend!


click on the photos :)

The Holiday is over,
but every day is a holiday in Waikiki


"If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking.

Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk. "


Raymond Inmon

photo courtesy of Ted Trimmer

"Time does not become sacred to us
until we have lived it,
until it has passed over us
and taken with it part of ourselves."

John Burroughs



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Memorial Day is packed with emotion.
From the fly overs of jets
to the ceremonies;
For one day we remember
those who serve
with a choking mixture of
pride, pain, celebration,
and deep regret,
mingled with
duty.


Here in Honolulu
a lantern floating ceremony,
based on the Toro Nagashi of Japan,
is held every Memorial Day.

Below is a brief, touching video of last year's event,
followed by a longer video of this year's.

Wishing you Peace,

cloudia

Memorial Day

Aloha, Friend.
It is Memorial Day-
Honoring Veterans
and Those Who Made
the Ultimate Sacrifice. . .

click on photos to enlarge them and yourself

While there are no official lyrics for Taps,
the following unofficial verses (author unknown)
are often used:

"Fading light dims the sight,

And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.

From afar drawing nigh -- Falls the night.



Day is done, gone the sun,

From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;

All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Then good night, peaceful night,

Till the light of the dawn shineth bright;

God is near, do not fear -- Friend, good night."



(Above Information Courtesy of
United States Army Center for Military History)

Yes,

We proudly remember the veterans of WWII
though today, the Germans and Japanese
are our allies and business partners.
Strange.

The even more distant First World War
is now seen
as a case of outmoded statecraft
sliding into an ancient
and formerly inevitable
choice
of war.

Our understanding matures
as the latest war recedes in the rear-view mirror
but the suffering and loss
remain very real
to this day.

To stand on guard of others
is noble.

To attack another people
is not.

Yet, should we stand back
in Burma,
or Africa,
where opportunist elites
enslave their own people?

Until these questions
are blotted out by understanding
we will need those willing
to play on a team
bigger than their own
convenience or benefit.

We call these people
"Military"

Sons, daughters
fathers, parents, neighbors
we call them
when we need help the most.

As with many things in a free society
we have mixed feelings about military power
and assumptions
but NEVER about those who serve,
who pay the price
and who always have.


We honor them the most
by fighting for the values and ideals
that motivated them:
Fairness, opportunity,
and a basic humanity
towards our fellow citizens;
To tell the truth
and listen to the other guy's truth
with real respect for his humanity too.


Let's build
and BE
the world they fought
and died for.


Amen